Bicycle-skirt



(No Modem 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. E. HIGGINS. BICYCLE SKIRT.

NQ. 580,491. rPa'1',eI1'edA.p1. 13, 1897.

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BICYCLE SKIRT. No. 580,491, Patented Apr. 13, 1897.

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MARY E. HIGGINS, OF HINSDALE, ILLINOIS.

BICYCLE-SKIRT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,491, dated April 13, 1897. Application filed August 21, 1895. Serial N0. 560,077. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that I, MARY E. HIGGINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hinsdale, in the county of Du Page and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bloomers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention' relates to an improvement in bloomers, the same being adapted for ladies use while engaged in the pursuit of athletic sports.

The object of the present invention is to provide in one article of wearing-apparel com-` bined bloomers or trousers and skirt, the same being so related that each is partially formed from one and the same piece of textile material, the result of which is a saving in the amount of material required and consequent expense and also a reduction in the weight of the article, thereby rendering the same cooler and more comfortable in wear.

The combination skirt and bloomers contemplated in this invention is to protect the wearer while engaged in riding a bicycle or in climbing or in the pursuit of athletic sports in general against exposure and at the same time admit of the free and unconiined movements of the limbs. Y

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thecourse of the subjoined description.

The invention consists in certain novel features' and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and iinally embodied in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view illustrating the application of the improved bloomer costume to the human form. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the general construction of the garment. Fig. 3 is an interior view looking toward one of the side gores and showing the manner in which the trousers portion is formed. Fig. 4 is a perspective view in detail looking toward the rear of the waistband. Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal section taken through one of the trousers portions and showing the manner in which the front and rear portions of the skirt are united thereto. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the manner in which supplemental pieces are used to complete the skirt portion of the garment.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, l designates the front of the dress, which is gathered at the top and stitched to the waistband 2.

3 indicates the back of the skirt, which is made very full, the top thereof being plaited and stitched to a supplemental band 4, slightly less in length than one-half of the main waistband 2. The extremities of the waistband 2 meet in the middle of the back and are connected by hooks and eyes or other suitable fastening devices 5. The supplemental backband 4 is shown provided at each end with a hook 6, and these hooks engage with eyes 7, secured to the main waistband 2 at points equidistant from the fastening 5. By means of this arrangement a double fastening is provided forthe waistband and extra security imparted thereto, while all liability of the skirt to gap open at the front or back is effectually overcome.

8 designates the side gores, each of which is preferably formed from a single piece of material and gathered into the waistband at the top, as shown. In the preferred formthis side gore of the skirt forms also the upperportion of one of the trousers legs or bloomers, the lower portion thereof being formed by a supplemental piece 9, the upper edge of which is stitched to the side gore about centrally of the vertical length thereof by means of one or more horizontal rows of stitches. The piece of material from which each side gore 8 is formed is made of considerably greater width than would ordinarily be necessary for said gore and is stitched-to the adjacent edges of the front and back portions of the skirt in such manner as to leave overlapping portions or flaps 10, which extend inside of the skirt and are united at their edges to form the inside seam ll of the leg or trousers portion. This piece of material is also formed with the vertical cuts 12 j ust within the seams between the front and back portions and the side gore, and the edges resulting from such cuts are stitched to the opposite side edges of the supplemental piece 9, thus completing one of the IOO trousers members. The front and rear edges of the two trousers portions thus formed are respectively stitched together, and the upper extremities thereof are gathered and stitched into the main waistband 2 and the supplemental back-band Li. Thelower ends of the trousers portions are formed with loop-hems 13, in which are inserted elastic bands for drawing the lower extremities of the trousers portions snugly around the knees of the wearer.

Instead of utilizing the supplemental piece 9 in the formation of the adjacent trousers portion, the latter may be contructed entirely from the piece of material which forms the side gore of the skirt, the lower portion of said gore being extended inwardly to form such trousers portion, as shown in Fig. G. In this event said supplemental piece 9 will be utilized to complete the lower portion of the'side gore of the skirt, as shown. Otherwise the construction is the same as hereinbeforc just described.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a very simple and convenient combination skirt and bloomers is produced, in which one and the same piece of material is made to form one of the side gores of the skirt and one of the trousers portions. This construction avoids the necessity for having a double thickness of material over the hips and renders the article lighter in weight and cooler in use. By reason of the particular arrangement of waistbands and the disposition of the hooks and eyes eXtra security is afforded in the attachment of the dress around the waist of the wearer, and the putting on or removal of the article is greatly facilitated. It will also be noted that the skirt is stitched to the trousers portions for the greater part of their length, which will prevent the wind fromlifting such skirt, and, if desired, one or more buttons 11i may be secured to the trousers portions at or near their lower ends and the skirt formed with corresponding buttonholes l5, thus providing for securing said skirt at or near its lower edge to the lower extremities of the trousers portions for still further guarding against the action of the wind. The skirt is thus controlled by the trousers portions and prevented from becoming entangled with the spokes or frame of the machine in case the wearer is riding a wheel, and a complete and desirable skirt for walking or touring purposes isv also attained.

It will be apparent that the trousers portions maybe formed of silk, while the side gores or the entire skirt may be of different material. In short, any material or combination of materials may be employed in the manufacture of the garment as a whole. It will also be apparent that changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired` to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

l. ln an article of wearing-apparel of the nature described, the combination with the front and back portions of the skirt, of the trousers included within said skirt and formed respectively in one piece with the side gores of the skirt, the edges of the gores being eX- tended beyond their junction with the front and back portions of the skirt and united to forni the trousers, whereby but a single thickness is disposed over the hips, substantially as specified.

2. The herein-described article of wearingapparel, the saine comprising a skirt, the side gores of which are extended inward at their opposite edges and united to form trousers, the lat-ter being completed by means of the supplemental pieces located upon the` inside of the skirt and stitched to the same substantially in the manner shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MARY E. HIGGINS.

Vitnesses:

GEO. KLElNE, AsA S. BACON. 

